Rail-guided conveyor means and conveyor system having such conveyor means

ABSTRACT

A rail-led conveying device includes a conveying vehicle with at least three runner rollers for rolling conveying along a rail guide. Rotation planes of the at least three runner rollers are arranged at an angle of greater than 0° and smaller than 180° relative to one another. The associated conveying installation includes a plurality of such conveying devices as well as a corresponding rail guidance with a rail body. The rail body includes a rail body longitudinal section with three runner surfaces that are arranged on the outer periphery of the rail body and are for the at least three runner rollers of the conveying device. The surface normals of the three runner surfaces are arranged at an angle to one another of greater than 0° and smaller than 180°.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to the field of conveying technologyand, according to a first aspect of the invention, relates to a rail-led(rail-guided) conveying device including a conveying vehicle with atleast one first, second and third runner roller for the rollingconveying along a rail guidance. The invention moreover relates to aconveying installation having at least one rail-led conveying device aswell as a rail guidance with a rail body.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a device and to a method forthe transfer of piece goods (unit loads) to a conveying installation, inparticular of the type mentioned above. The conveying installationincludes at least one conveying element that is moveable along aconveying path and that is for holding and conveying a goods piece. Thedevice includes at least one goods piece receiver for positioning andpreparing a goods piece in a transfer zone of the conveyinginstallation.

2. Description of Related art

Conveying devices with rail-led conveying means that are guided or ledalong guide rails via runner rollers or sliding elements are known inthe art. The associated conveying means, for example, are designed inthe form of conveying vehicles. Such conveying devices are, e.g.,designed as gravity conveyors. With these devices, the conveyingvehicles are moved via drivers (catches) to a higher conveying level,from where these move along the guide rail in a manner driven bygravity. Conveying elements are coupled to the conveying vehicles ineach case and receive the piece goods to be conveyed and convey thesealong a conveying path which is set by the guide rail.

The mentioned conveying devices have the advantage that the conveyingvehicles can be moved along a conveying path individually, i.e.independently of one another, as well as in a manner directly orindirectly coupled to one another in an interconnection. Thus, theconveying vehicles, for example, can be coupled to one another in adirect manner via suitable connection interfaces, or indirectly by wayof chain-led drivers. Conveying vehicles that are coupled to oneanother, e.g., permit a cyclically synchronous conveying of piece goods.

EP 0 856 480 B1 describes a rail-led conveying means as well as aconveying device with a plurality of rail-led conveying means. Theconveying means comprises a conveying vehicle with runner rollers. Thebase body of the conveying vehicle comprise two limbs. In each case tworunner rollers arranged offset equally and oppositely in a crossedmanner are fastened on the sides of the vehicle limbs which are assignedto one another. The runner rollers are arranged mutually distanced inthe running direction of the vehicle limbs in a manner such that a flatguide rail has space between the runner rollers. The runner rollers rollalong on the two flat sides which lie opposite one another.

The conveying device according to EP 0856 480 B1, however, has thedisadvantage that the conveying vehicles at the two lateral connectionsides connecting the flat sides to one another are not led via runnerrollers. Although the runner rollers each comprise a wheel flange, sothat the conveying vehicle bears on the connection sides of the guiderail in a largely play-free manner also with respect to the forcesacting transversely to the conveying direction, this lateral guidancehowever entails a comparatively high friction and, accordingly, highwear.

EP 1 169 249 B1 describes a method and a device for conveying piecegoods. The piece goods are loaded on holding means, conveyed in a mannerheld by the holding means, and unloaded from the holding means. Thepiece goods are pushed into the holding means or out of the holdingmeans transversely to the conveying direction. The holding means can beopened and closed for this. The pushing movement is effected parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the piece goods via an object guidance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object according to the first aspect of the invention is to provide arail-led conveying device and a conveying device with a rail-ledconveying device of the initially mentioned type, which overcomes thedisadvantages mentioned above. The conveying vehicle and the associatedguide rail in particular should be designed such that the guidanceaccommodates a torque acting on the conveying vehicle, without excessivefriction forces acting on the components and in particular on the runnerrollers. Moreover, the forces acting on the conveying vehicle should bedistributed as uniformly as possible onto the runner rollers.

In accordance with the present invention, a conveying device whereinrotation planes of the at least first, second and third runner rollerare arranged relative to one another at an angle of greater than 0° andsmaller than 180° (angle degrees). This means that the rotation planesof the first and second, of the second and third as well as the firstand second runner roller are in each case arranged at the mentionedangle relative to one another.

The rotation planes are preferably arranged at an angle of 60° orlarger, in particular 90° or larger, advantageously 100° or larger andparticularly preferably of 115° or larger, relative to one another.

The rotation planes are further preferably arranged at an angle of 160°or smaller, in particular 140° or smaller and advantageously 125° orsmaller, relative to one another.

The rotation planes in particular are arranged at an angle of 120°relative to one another.

The rotation plane of the runner rollers according to definition liesparallel to the rotation direction of the runner rollers and leadsthrough their middle plane. The rotation axis of the runner rolleraccordingly forms the surface normal of the rotation plane.

The runner rollers form a rotation axis. The runner rollers arepreferably rotatably mounted about a pivot (physical rotation axis). Theconveying load thereby is preferably transmitted via the pivot from theconveying means onto the rail guidance. The mounting of the runnerrollers can, e.g., consist of a ball bearing.

The conveying vehicle can also include two or more than two first and/ortwo or more that two second and/or two or more that two third runnerrollers. The number of runner rollers amongst other things depends oncarrying load to be expected. The greater the carrying load the morerollers are preferably to be provided, in order distribute the load ontoseveral rollers.

The rotation planes of the first, second and third runner rollersintersect relative to one another at an angle mentioned above. Therotation axes of the first, the second and the third runner rollers areat an angle to one another. All three rotation axes can also lie in acommon plane transverse to the conveying direction.

If the conveying vehicle includes several first, second and/or thirdrollers, then these runner rollers each have a common rotation plane.

The conveying vehicle has a base body, on which the runner rollers arerotatably fastened. The base body forms a front end surface, which is atthe front considered in the conveying direction, as well as a rear endsurface.

Damping elements, which damp impacts when two conveying vehicles movedindependently of one another collide, can be arranged on the base body,in particular on its end surfaces.

According to a further development of the invention, the conveyingvehicle includes a first and a second vehicle limb as well as aconnection section that connects the two vehicle limbs to one another.

The two vehicle limbs and the connection section form the base body. Thebase body is designed in a one-part manner The base body can be Y-shapedin a cross-sectional view.

At least one first runner roller is arranged on the first vehicle limb,at least one second runner roller on the second vehicle limb andpreferably at least one third runner roller on the connection section,in a rotatably mounted manner.

Also two or more than two first runner rollers can be arranged on thefirst vehicle limb. The two or more first runner rollers can be arrangedone after the other in the conveying direction of the conveying vehicle.

Likewise, two or more than two second runner rollers can be arranged onthe second vehicle limb. The two or more second runner rollers can bearranged one after the other in the conveying direction of the conveyingvehicle.

Also two or more than two third runner rollers can be arranged on theconnection element. The two or more third connection rollers can bearranged one after the other in the conveying direction of the conveyingvehicle.

The arrangement of two or more first, second and/or third runner rollersserves for avoiding a tilt moment in the conveying direction of theconveying vehicles, which are moved independently of one another along aconveying path.

The two vehicle limbs and the connection section preferably enclose arail receiving space, which is open at one side and is for receiving arail body. The at least one first, second and third runner roller arearranged on the conveying vehicle such that they can roll on the railbody, which is led through the rail receiving space.

The at least one first, second and third runner roller are preferablyarranged on the conveying vehicle such that their rotation planesintersect in the rail receiving space.

A conveying element for receiving or holding a goods piece is preferablyarranged on the conveying vehicle. The conveying element can beconnected to the conveying vehicle via a releasable or non-releasableconnection. The conveying element is preferably connected to theconveying vehicle via the connection section.

The conveying element is preferably a holding clip. The holding clipincludes at least two clip limbs for the clamped holding of the goodspiece. At least one clip limb, preferably both clip limbs are movable.The two clip limbs are movable relative to one another.

Clamped holding means that the goods piece is held by the holding clipby way of a friction-fit connection and/or positive-fit connection.

The holding clip can be activated in an active or passive manner“Actively activatable” means that the holding clip, by way of movementof the clip limbs relative to one another, can be actively opened andclosed via a cam guide or switch station that is integrated into theconveying installation. In this case, the holding clip can, e.g., bedesigned as a gripper.

The holding clip is preferably passively activatable. “Passivelyactivatable” means that the holding clip can be passively opened by wayof spreading the clip limbs, for example by the goods piece to beconveyed, and can be passively closed again by way of the restoringforce of the clip limbs. The holding clip in particular is designed suchthat the clip limbs in the spread position exert a restoring force inthe direction of an initial position, the restoring force permitting theclamping holding of a goods piece.

The conveying element, however, can be a holding pouch, a holding bag, aholding sack, a holding hook, a holding basket, a holding crate or aholding plate.

For this, the clip limbs can be designed in a spring-elastic manner.However, a spring element can also be provided, which cooperates withthe clip limbs and exerts a restoring force onto these.

The clip limbs or the holding clip is preferably manufactured of springsteel. The clip limb or the holding clip can, however, also be ofplastic. The holding clip is preferably designed in a single-piecemanner.

The holding clip is preferably formed such that the clip limbs are onlyactivated passively. In other words, the clip limbs are actuated by thegoods piece inserted between the clip limbs. The clip limbs are notactively actuated, i.e. by a cam guide or a switch device.

The conveying vehicles are designed as independent conveying elements.The conveying vehicles are designed such that they cannot be linked toone another.

A contact element for creating a driving contact (catching, taking-alongcontact) with a driver (catch) for the purpose of driving (catching,taking-along) the conveying vehicle by the driver can be arranged on theconveying vehicle.

The contact element, e.g., can be designed as a stud. The stud isdesigned to be brought into driving contact with a driver, as describedfurther below.

The invention according to the first object also relates to a conveyinginstallation which includes at least one, preferably a plurality ofconveying means according to the invention.

The conveying installation has a rail body that forms at least one railbody longitudinal section with at least three runner surfaces, which arearranged on the outer periphery of the rail body, and are for the atleast one first, second and third runner roller. The surface normals ofthe at least three runner surfaces intersect at an angle larger than 0°and smaller than 180° (angle degrees). Accordingly, the surface normalsof the first and second, of the second and third, as well as of thefirst and third runner surface are in each case arranged relative to oneanother at the mentioned angle.

The surface normals of the at least three runner surfaces preferablyintersect at an angle of 60° or larger, in particular 90° or larger,advantageously 100° or larger and particularly preferably of 115° orlarger.

The surface normals of the at least three runner surfaces moreoverintersect preferably at an angle of 160° or smaller, in particular 140°or smaller and advantageously of 125° or smaller.

The surface normals preferably intersect at an angle of 120°.

The runner surfaces are preferably designed as strips. The strips can bepart of the plane.

According to a preferred further development, the rail body longitudinalsection has a symmetrical cross section.

According to a preferred further development the rail body longitudinalsection is a polygonal profile, i.e. a triangular profile with threeprofile surfaces, or a hexagonal profile with six profile surfaces,wherein the at least three runner surfaces are formed by profilesurfaces. The polygonal profiles can be designed as regular, which is tosay point-symmetrical profiles.

The profile corners of the polygonal profiles are preferably rounded.The danger of injury is reduced in this manner

The hexagonal profile can be designed in a mirror-symmetrical orpoint-symmetrical manner in cross section. In the latter case, thehexagonal profile forms a profile cross section in the form of a regularhexagon.

The hexagonal profile is preferably of a nature such that adjacentprofile surfaces are arranged in each case at an angle of 120° relativeto one another. The hexagonal profile as a result has a hexagonal crosssection.

The three runner surfaces are preferably formed by in each case threeprofile surfaces, which are arranged to one another in an angled manner,in particular at an angle of 60°. Accordingly, the first and second, thesecond and third as well as the third and first running surface in eachcase enclose the mentioned angle.

The conveying vehicle with its two vehicles limbs laterally encompassesthe rail body or grips around this laterally. The at least one first,second and third runner roller are rollingly guided on the runnersurfaces of the rail body. The runner rollers encompass the rail body ina manner that is practically free of play.

One also talks of an “outer runner”, since the runner surfaces arearranged on the outer periphery of the rail body, and the conveyingvehicle with its runner rollers accordingly rolls on the outer peripheryof the rail body.

The rail body and the single or more conveying devices are preferablydesigned such that a torque acting on the conveying device is dissipatedonto the rail body in a manner uniformly distributed over the at leastone first, second or third runner roller.

The rail body is connected to a carrier structure via holding means,which are preferably fastened on one of the profile surfaces. Theconveying device is therefore designed such that this does not encloseor encompass at least this one profile surface. This profile surfaceusefully lies between the two limb ends on the open side of theconveying vehicle.

The cross-sectional geometry of the rail body can be constant or varyalong the conveying path. Thus, the rail body can include several railbody longitudinal sections with a different profile cross section.

Thus, the rail body, for example, can include a further rail bodylongitudinal section, which is designed as a round profile. The roundprofile preferably has a circular cross section. The round profilepreferably connects to a hexagonal profile. Preferably, the hexagonalprofile via an intermediate section merges into the round profile by wayof a continuous cross-sectional change, and vice versa.

Rail body longitudinal sections of round profiles in particular can beapplied in curve regions, in which the rail body forms a bend.

Since the runner rollers with the round profile form a line contact,these cannot accommodate torques. This means that the conveying meansare pivotable about the rail body.

This effect is desirable in curved travel since here quite highcentrifugal forces act on the conveying device, depending on theconveying speed. The centrifugal forces are directed so as to exert atorque onto the conveying means led into the curve, depending on theleading of the rail.

The conveying device now in curved travel can pivot out in a mannerfollowing the centrifugal force. High torques acting on the conveyingmeans an in particular on the runner rollers, which leads to a greaterfriction and wear, is prevented in curved travel by way of this. Theconveying device as a result are loaded to a significantly lower extentdue to the free alignment with curved travel, which is to say travel inbends.

If for example a hexagonal profile is used in a bend along a conveyingpath, then the conveying device are not in the position of changingtheir alignment transversely to the rail body in a manner following thecentrifugal force. Accordingly, high torques act on the runner rollersand lead to a wear and abrasion of the bearings. The rail bodysubsequent to a bend or curve can again merge into a hexagonal profile,along which the conveying device is again secured with regard to torque.

The rail body can be a solid profile. The rail body in particular can bea hollow profile. The hollow profile can, e.g., be an extruded profile.The rail body can be of metal, such as steel or aluminium, or ofplastic.

If the rail bodies are designed as hollow profiles, then two rail bodiescan be connected to one another via plug-in connections. The plug-inconnection between two rail bodies can include a plug-in element that isinserted into the profile cavity of the plug-in bodies and, thus,connects these to one another. The connection can be a positiveconnection and/or non-positive connection. The plug-in element can befixed in the profile cavity via fixation means, such as screws, whichare inserted laterally through the profile wall of the rail body.

The rail body further preferably has a width across flats or wrench sizeof 10 to 100 mm, preferably of 10 to 50 mm, and in particular of 20 to30 mm. The width across flats with a hexagonal profile corresponds tothe distance between two runner surfaces lying opposite one another. Thewidth across flats with a round profile corresponds to the outerdiameter of the profile. The width across flats is preferably constantover the complete longitudinal extension of the rail body. The widthacross flats of the round profile preferably corresponds to the widthacross flats of the hexagonal profile.

The conveying installation is preferably designed as a hanging conveyor,in which piece goods at least in sections are conveyed in a hangingmanner The piece goods are preferably conveyed for the most part in ahanging manner along the conveying path. In the hanging conveying, theconnection section and the conveying element are arranged below the railbody with regard to the gravity. The two vehicles limbs are led upwardsfrom below laterally past the rail body. The vehicle is accordingly opento the top.

The conveying installation according to the invention can, e.g., bedesigned as a gravity conveyor. With these installations, the conveyingvehicles are moved from a higher conveying level (potential level),driven by gravity, along the guide rail downwards to a lower conveyinglevel (potential level).

The conveying vehicles are driven by gravity, in particularindependently of one another.

The conveying vehicles can be moved via drivers to the higher conveyinglevel (potential level).

The gradient along the gravity conveying path can be e.g. 1° to 45°, inparticular 1° to 15° (angle degrees).

The conveying installation in particular is designed as a circularcourse. The circular course can include branching. In particular, points(diverters) can be arranged at the branching. The conveying vehicles canbe moved along different conveying paths in this manner

According to a further development of the invention, the conveyinginstallation comprises a drive device. The drive device in particular isa flexible drive element and one which is designed in a revolving mannerThe drive device can, e.g., be a chain, a belt, such as toothed belt, acable, a band or a strap.

Preferably, drivers are connected or actively connected to the drivedevice. The drivers include a contact element, via which this can bebrought into contact with the contact element of the conveying vehicle.The contact element can also be arranged directly on the drive device orbe actively connected to this.

The drive device can also be worm gear (worm wheel) of a worm drive. Theworm gear can comprise a spirally arranged groove, into which thecontact element of the conveying vehicle engages. In this case, thespiral groove corresponds to the driver. The spiral groove rotates byway of rotation of the worm gear. In this manner, the conveying vehicletogether with the contact element, which is freely displaceably guidedin the spiral groove is conveyed along the rotation axis of the wormgear.

The drive device with the driver and described above, in particular canbe applied in the transfer zone and accordingly be arranged there. Thedrive device ensures a uniform movement of the conveying vehicles intothe transfer zone and out of this. Moreover, the drive means permitsdefined distances between the conveying vehicles. This is particularlyimportant with regard to a reliable transfer of the piece goods.

The conveying vehicle, as already mentioned, on the one hand includes acontact element, which interacts with the contact element of the driverfor creating a driving contact.

The contact elements of the conveying vehicle and the driver can bedesigned in a manner such that these create a positive, non-positiveand/or friction connection or merely a driving contact, between theconveying vehicle and the driver.

The contact elements can be coupling elements, via which the conveyingvehicle is coupled to the driver.

The contact element on the conveying vehicle can be a stud. The contactelement on the driver can be designed of two driver arms that form a gapfor receiving the stud. Other contact elements such as magnets or aVelcro-type closure are also possible.

The conveying device or its conveying element is preferably suitable forreceiving elongate piece goods. The elongate piece goods have alongitudinal axis. The piece goods are preferably rigid.

The piece goods preferably have a rotationally symmetrical shape,preferably cylindrical shape. The piece goods can, for example, beblanks, cartridges, glasses, bottles, tins, cardboard packages, such asbiscuit tins, rod-like products such as sweets, tubes or cigars.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for the transfer ofpiece goods to a conveying installation that includes at least oneconveying element, which is movable along a conveying path and is forholding and conveying a goods piece. The device for this includes atleast one goods piece receiver for positioning a goods piece in atransfer zone of the conveying installation.

The object according to the second aspect of the invention is to providea device mentioned above, which is constructed as simply as possible, isrobust and despite this is reliable in operation. Moreover, the deviceshould be able to be operated with as little as possible control effort.

This object is achieved by way of the device including a slide mechanism(push mechanism) with at least one slide element (push element), by wayof which the at least one goods piece, in a transfer movement can bemoved from the goods piece receiver to the conveying element andtransferred to the conveying element.

The associated method according to the invention, for transferring piecegoods to a conveying installation by way of the device according to theinvention comprises the following steps:

-   -   providing at least one goods piece in a goods piece receiver in        the transfer zone;    -   moving the at least one goods piece out of the goods piece        receiver to the conveying element of the conveying installation;    -   transferring the at least one goods piece to the conveying        element and conveying the at least one goods piece out of the        transfer zone.

The conveying element thereby exerts a holding force on the goods piece.

According to the method, the at least one goods piece is moved by way ofa slide element of a slide mechanism in a transfer movement transverselyto its longitudinal axis out of the goods piece receiver, to theconveying element.

The goods piece is moreover preferably moved transversely to theconveying direction of the goods piece receiver or of the intermediateconveyor and transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyinginstallation.

The at least one goods piece is pushed by the transfer movement of theslide element, preferably out of the goods piece receiver, to theconveying element.

The at least one goods piece is moved by way of the slide elementpreferably out of an idle position in the goods piece receiver, to theconveying element. Thus, the at least one goods piece is preferablyconveyed in the goods piece receiver into the transfer zone and assumesan idle or waiting position there. The transfer takes place from theidle position

However, it is also possible for the at least one goods piece during itsconveying to be transferred through the transfer zone. This means thatthe goods piece is situated in a movement in the conveying direction Bwhen this is transferred by the slide mechanism out of the goods piecereceiver to the conveying element.

The slide element can, e.g., be moved by way of pneumatic or hydraulicmeans. The slide element can also be moved via an eccentric device.

The slide element can also be moved via a pivot element. Thereby, theslide element moves along an arched path. The slide element executes acombined movement, with a first movement component in the direction ofthe conveying element. The second movement component is preferably inthe conveying direction of the conveying element.

The slide element can execute a linear movement, a pivot movement or acombined movement. A linear movement can also be a lift movement with aforward travel for moving the goods piece to the conveying element, orfor inserting the goods piece into the conveying element, and with areturn travel for moving the slide element back into its initialposition.

The conveying element preferably includes a holding clip with a firstand with a second movable clip limb, as has already been describedfurther above.

The goods piece receiver is preferably part of the conveying element ofan intermediate conveyor, which conveys the piece goods from aprocessing device, such as, e.g., a filling installation, into thetransfer zone. The intermediate conveyor is, e.g., designed as a roundcourse. The intermediate conveyor can, e.g., also be a chain conveyor.The goods piece receiver in particular can be a conveying element of aconveying device. The conveying device can, for example, include aconveying vehicle. The conveying device can include one or moreconveying elements or goods piece receivers.

The intermediate conveyor conveys the piece goods preferably in batchesor charges into the transfer zone in a discontinuous manner. This meansthat a conveying break is applied between two conveyed charges of piecegoods. Moreover, the piece goods in the transfer zone preferably assumean idle position during the conveying break before their transfer.

The piece goods are preferably transferred as a charge in a constantformation from the goods piece receivers to the conveying elements.

The goods piece receiver preferably forms a rest element, on which thegoods piece lies on account of gravity. The goods piece is preferablynot held in the goods piece receiver.

The goods piece receiver in the transfer zone, with regard to thedirection of the gravitational force, is preferably arranged below theconveying element of the conveying installation which is moved past. Thegoods piece receiver, however, in the transfer zone can also be arrangedlaterally of the moved past conveying element.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, thedevice or the intermediate conveyor includes a plurality of goods piecereceivers. The device is hereby designed for the simultaneous transferof several piece goods to conveying elements of the conveyinginstallation.

The device in particular can include a conveying installation as well asassociated conveying device with conveying elements of the typedescribed above. With regard to piece goods, it is likewise preferablythe case of piece goods of the type described above.

According to a further development of the invention, the conveyingelement is moved further along its conveying path during the transfer ofthe goods piece. The movement of the conveying element or its conveyingdevice during the transfer is preferably continuous or uniform.

However, one can also envisage the conveying element in the transferzone being temporarily stopped or being slowed down in its movement, forthe purpose of taking over the goods piece.

According to a further development of the invention, the conveyingelement includes a holding clip with two movable clip limbs The cliplimbs can be spread apart, wherein these exert a restoring force in thedirection of the initial position. The goods piece according to thisfurther development is pressed by the slide element into the holdingclip. With this procedure, the clip limbs are spread apart, so that theyexert a restoring force and the goods piece is held in the holding clipin a clamped manner. The holding clip thereby is designed such that thegoods piece spreads the clip limbs apart in the holding position.

According to a further development of the invention, the moved conveyingelement exerts a driving force (catching force) onto the goods pieceduring the take-over of the goods piece. If the conveying element is aholding clip, this driving force is exerted onto the goods piece as soonas this is pushed by the slide element between the clip limbs. Hereby,one is to ensure that the driving force is already exerted onto thegoods piece before this is located in the holding position on theconveying element, i.e. between the clip limbs

The driving force has the effect that the goods piece receives amovement impulse in the movement direction of the conveying element ofthe conveying installation and accordingly moves in this conveyingdirection, and specifically already before the goods piece is held bythe conveying element in its holding position.

In this phase, the goods piece executes a combined movement. On the onehand it is moved by the slide element in the direction of the conveyingelement. On the other hand the goods piece is moved by the driving forcealready in the conveying direction of the conveying element.

In order to provide for this combined movement, the slide elementpreferably forms a guide surface that runs in the movement direction ofthe conveying element in the transfer zone. The goods piece during thetake-over now slides along this guide surface in the movement directionof the conveying element, due to the driving force of the conveyingelement.

The guide surface for this is preferably designed as a sliding surface.The sliding surface can be coated, e.g., with a material such as PTFEwhich has a low coefficient of friction.

Due to this measure, it is ensured that the slide element can push thegoods piece completely into the holding position of the conveyingelement, without inhibiting the movement of the goods piece in theconveying direction of the conveying element, the movement being causedby the driving force.

The guide surface of the slide element is preferably formed by acomponent extending in the movement direction of the conveying element.

According to a further development of the invention, the slide elementmoves the goods piece upwards from below, to the conveying element.According to this embodiment, the conveying element forms a hangingconveying in the transfer zone.

However, it is also possible for the slide element to move the goodspiece with a sideward movement, to the conveying element. The slideelement guides the goods piece preferably during the complete transfer.However, the sliding element preferably does not fix or hold the goodspiece for this purpose. For this reason, the slide element and thetransfer process are preferably designed such that the goods pieceduring the guided transfer bears on the slide element or its guidesurface due to the support of gravity.

According to a further development of the method, several piece goodsare simultaneously moved by way of the slide mechanism, to conveyingelements of the conveying installation and are taken over by these. Thedevice comprises a corresponding number of goods piece receivers forthis. The goods piece receivers can be designed as independent conveyingdevice or part of an individual conveying device, in particular of anintermediate conveyor.

The conveying installation comprises a suitable number of conveyingdevice with conveying elements. The conveying elements are moved intothe transfer zone in such a coordinated manner, that a conveying elementis assigned to each goods piece receiver on transfer.

According to a further development of the invention, several piece goodsare transferred by way of a common slide element to the conveyingelements in a simultaneous, i.e. cyclically synchronous manner

Thus, for example, according to a particular further development of theinvention, in each case several piece goods per processing cycle aresimultaneous subjected to a processing step in a processing device. Thepiece goods after completion of the processing step are conveyed ingoods piece receivers by way of intermediate conveyors, preferablytogether, to the transfer zone. The piece goods in the transfer zone byway of the slide mechanism are simultaneously, i.e., cyclicallysynchronously moved to the conveying elements of the conveyinginstallations and transferred to these.

The transfer of the piece goods as a result is effected in batches.Since the piece goods are transferred in each case to the conveyingelements of individual conveying device, these can be conveyed in theconveying installation in an individual manner, batch-wise or in acontinuous conveying stream.

The conveying installation and the slide mechanism and, as the case maybe, also the processing device as well as, as the case may be, anintermediate conveyor are operated in a controlled and cyclicallysynchronous manner preferably via a common control device.

The conveying device according to the invention as well as theassociated conveying installation are simply and robustly constructedand permit a reliable and smooth transfer and conveying operation. Themaintenance expense is accordingly low. Moreover, the conveyinginstallation is inexpensive in manufacture, since, e.g., the rail bodiesare of standard profiles which are available on the market in any case.

Since the conveying vehicles are movable along a conveying pathindependently of one another, these can be moved, e.g., via pointssystems (diverter systems) along individual conveying paths, which areindependent of other conveying vehicles.

The individualised conveying of individual products in a conveyinginstallation thus opens up many possibilities on commissioning products.This the individual conveying vehicles can also be put together intogroups without however linking the conveying vehicles to one another.Moreover, the conveying installation according to the invention alsopermits a buffering of the conveying vehicles and thus of the conveyedproducts.

It is evident that a chain conveyor is not suitable as a gravityconveyor with the characteristics mentioned above.

The device for the transfer of piece goods is likewise characterised bya comparatively simple and robust construction. The device is simplydesigned with regard to control technology and is accordingly reliablein operation, hardly prone to failure and is low in maintenance.

The device can be constructed in a very compact and space-saving mannersince the piece goods are moved transversely to their longitudinal axisby the slide mechanism during the transfer. Thus, the intermediateconveyor and the conveying installation can be led past one anothercomparatively closely in the transfer zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject-matter is hereinafter described in more detail by way of apreferred embodiment example which is represented in the accompanyingdrawings. In each case in a schematic manner are shown in:

FIG. 1: a perspective view of a rail-led conveying device;

FIG. 2: a lateral view of the rail-led conveying device according toFIG. 1;

FIG. 3: a front view of the rail-led conveying device according to FIG.1;

FIG. 4: a cross-sectional view of the rail-led conveying deviceaccording to FIG. 1, in the region of a cross-sectional change of therail body;

FIG. 5: a lateral view of a rail body;

FIG. 6: a cross-sectional view of the rail-led conveying deviceaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7: a lateral view of the conveying installation from the region ofthe rail guidance;

FIG. 8: a device for the transfer of piece goods;

FIGS. 9 to 13: in each case, a lateral view of the device in the regionof the transfer zone;

FIGS. 14 to 16: in each case, a front view of the device according toFIGS. 9 to 13;

FIG. 17: a front view of a rail-led conveying device with a rail bodyaccording to a further embodiment;

FIG. 18: a front view of a rail-guided conveying device with a rail bodyaccording to a further embodiment;

FIGS. 19 to 22: in each case, a lateral view of a further embodiment ofa slide mechanism;

FIG. 23: a cross section through a further embodiment of a rail body;and,

FIG. 24: a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveyingdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numeralsin the figures. Certain features in the figures are not represented forunderstanding the invention. The described embodiment examples representthe subject-matter of the invention by way of example and have nolimiting effect.

The conveying device 2 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 13 includes aconveying vehicle 3 that is guided as an outer runner on a rail body 21.The conveying vehicle 3 has a base body 5 with a first and a secondvehicle limb 6, 7, which are connected to one another via anintermediate section 8.

A pair of first runner rollers 4 a is arranged in a rotatably mountedmanner on the end section of the first vehicle limb 6 A pair of secondrunner rollers 4 b is arranged in a rotatably mounted manner at the endsection of the second vehicle limb 7. The runner rollers 4 a, 4 b of thementioned runner roller pairs are each arranged one after the other inthe conveying direction B. Their rotation axes or rotation planes areparallel to one another. The paired arrangement of the first and secondrunner rollers 4 a, 4 b prevent a tilting of the conveying device 2 inthe conveying direction B.

An individual third runner roller 4 c is arranged in a rotatably mountedmanner on the connection section 8. The rotation planes R of the first,second and third runner rollers 4 a, 4 b and 4 c intersect in the railreceiving space at an angle of 120°.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rail body 21 in the form of a symmetricalhexagonal profile is led through the rail receiving space 9. Thehexagonal profile 21 forms six profile surfaces 22, which are arrangeduniformly around the periphery of the profile. These form a regularhexagon. These profile surfaces 22 are suitable as runner surfaces forthe runner rollers 4 a, 4 b, 4 c. The runner rollers 4 a, 4 b, 4 c,however, in each case only lie on three of the in total six possibleprofile surfaces 22. These three runner surfaces 27 in each casemutually enclose an angle of 60°. This means that the first and thesecond, the second and the third as well as the third and the firstrunner surface 27 enclose an angle of 60°. The rail body 21 isencompassed by the runner rollers approximately without play.

The hexagonal profile 21 has a width across flats SW that corresponds tothe distance between two profile surfaces lying opposite one another.

The rail body 21 is connected via a holder 25 to a support structure(FIG. 3), which is not explained in more detail at this location. Theholder (mount) 25 is attached on the profile surface 22 of the rail body21, which faces the opening between the two vehicle limbs 6, 7.

The rail body 21 in sections can also be designed as a round profile(see FIGS. 4 and 5). The width across flats of the round profilecorresponds to its outer diameter D. For this reason, the three runnerrollers or runner roller pairings 4 a, 4 b, 4 c can also be led on theround profile without play. The round profile section 21 b, however, incontrast to the hexagonal profile section 21 a, does not form a guidesurface for the runner rollers but rather a guide line. In contrast tothe hexagonal profile section 21 a therefore the conveying device 2 isnot torque-secured on the round profile section 21 b. This means thatthe conveying device 2 is pivotable transversely to the conveyingdirection B or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the railbody 21, about the rail body 21.

The conveying element 10 is arranged below the rail body 21 in thehanging conveying. The two vehicle limbs 6, 7 are led upwards from belowlaterally past the rail body 21. The rotation plane R of the first andsecond runner rollers 4 a, 4 b runs obliquely from the top to the runnersurface of the rail body 21. The two runner surfaces 27 for the twofirst and second runner rollers 4 a, 4 b are directly obliquelydownwards.

The rotation plane R of the third runner rollers 4 c is arranged in aperpendicular manner The third runner roller 4 c rolls above the railbody 21 on a runner surface 27, which is directed upwards.

A conveying element 10, which points away from the rail body 21, isreleasably arranged on the connection section 8. The conveying element10 is designed as a holding clip. The holding clip 10 has a pair offirst clip limbs 12 a and a pair of second clip limbs 12 b that enclosea receiving region 15.

The holding clip 10 is designed of spring steel. The limb pairings 12 a,12 b are accordingly spring-elastic, and permit a goods piece 70 to beheld in a clamped manner by way of the exertion of a restoring force.For this, the holding clip 10 is designed such that the goods piece 70at least slightly spreads the clip limbs 12 a, 12 b in the holdingposition. The goods piece 70 is held radially, i.e. on the outer radius,in a clamping manner.

In each case, a guide stud 13 projecting transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the rail body 21 is arranged laterally on thefirst and second vehicle limb 6, 7 (see FIG. 1).

The conveying installation 1 moreover includes a drive chain 24 as wellas drivers 23 fastened on the drive chain. The drivers 23 are activelydriven via the drive chain. The drivers 23 in each case have two driverarms 26 a, 26 b that are spaced from one another. The driver arms 26 a,26 b form an intermediate space, in which the driver receives the guidestud 13 (see FIG. 7).

If now the conveying device 2, for example, are to be led to a higherconveying level, then a driver 23 is fed to the conveying device 2,wherein the guide stud 13 is led between the two driver arms 26 a, 26 b.The conveying vehicle 3 is now carried along by the drivers 23 via thedrive force acting through the driver arms 26 a, 26 b onto the guidestud 13.

The conveying vehicles 3 moreover have damping elements 14 on the frontand rear side considered in the conveying direction, and these dampimpacts when two conveying device moved independently of one another hitone another. The damping elements 14 can be studs of rubber-elasticmaterial.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a device for the transfer of piece goods 70,in particular circularly cylindrical cartridges, to a conveyinginstallation 1 of the type described above.

The device includes a processing device 61, e.g. a filling device.Moreover, the device includes a conveying installation 1 for conveyingthe piece goods 70 to a further-processing device, such as a packagingdevice (not shown). The device moreover includes an intermediateconveyor 50, which conveys the piece goods 70 from the processing device61 to the transfer zone Z on the conveying installation 1.

In the processing device 61, more and more piece goods 70, here four, inthe manner of a batch operation are simultaneously subjected to aprocessing step, e.g., filled with contents, such as a sealing mass. Theprocessing is effected in a cycled operation. The piece goods 70, aftercompletion of the processing step, are fed to goods piece receivers 51of the intermediate conveyor 50. The goods piece receivers 51 areconveying elements of the intermediate conveyor 50 which are arrangedone after the other in the conveying direction B.

The goods piece receivers 51 with the piece goods 70 are conveyed by wayof intermediate conveyors 50 into the transfer zone Z of the conveyinginstallation 1. The intermediate conveyor 50 is designed as a roundcourse, which after the effected transfer of the piece goods 70 to theconveying installation 1, moves the goods piece receivers 51 back againto the processing device 61.

The intermediate conveyor 50 conveys the piece goods 70 batch-wise orcharge-wise in a discontinuous manner into the transfer zone Z. Thismeans that a conveying pause or break is applied between two conveyedcharges of piece goods 70. Moreover, the piece goods 70 in the transferzone Z assume an idle position during the conveying break before theirtransfer.

The charges of piece goods 70 are preferably conveyed in a regular cycleinto the transfer zone Z.

A pneumatically operated slide mechanism 52 with a slide element 53 isarranged in the transfer zone Z. The slide element 53 includes acomponent that extends in the conveying direction B of the conveyingdevice 2 and is with a longitudinally directed guide surface for thepiece goods 70.

The conveying path of the conveying installation 1 leads through thetransfer zone Z. Accordingly, conveying device 2 with holding clips 10are moved through the transfer zone Z. The piece goods 70 are fed to thetransfer zone Z in a cycled and batched manner.

The conveying installation 1 and the associated conveying device 2 havealready been described in detail in the context of FIGS. 1 to 7. Thatwhich has been cited further above is referred to.

FIGS. 9 to 13 show the batch-wise transfer of piece goods to theconveying installation 1 in lateral views. The FIGS. 14 to 16 show thetransfer of piece goods 70 to the conveying installation 1 according tothe FIGS. 9 to 13, in front views.

The transfer is effected in a cycled manner, wherein the transferaccording to FIGS. 9 to 13 and 14 to 16 corresponds to one transfercycle.

The processing device 61, the intermediate conveyor 50, the conveyinginstallation 1 and finally the transfer of piece goods 70 are operatedcyclically synchronously to one another.

FIGS. 9 and 14 represent the beginning of a transfer cycle for thetransfer of a group of three piece goods 70 to the conveyinginstallation 1. The three piece goods 70 to be transferred, in thetransfer zone lie ready for transfer in the idle position in three goodspiece receivers 51. The number of piece goods 70 can of course also begreater or smaller than three and, for example, be two, four or five.

The goods piece receivers 51 are part of guide elements of anintermediate conveyer, which is not represented here in more detail, theguide elements being led by rollers (see FIGS. 14 to 16).

Conveying device 2 in each case with a holding clip 10 are moved by theconveying installation 1 into the transfer zone Z. In the present case,it is three conveying device 2, i.e. a conveying device 2 for each goodspiece 70 lying ready.

While the conveying device 2 is moved through the transfer zone Z, theslide element 52 of the slide mechanism 52 is moved upwards in a linearmovement H (FIG. 10). The piece goods 70 by way of the slide element 53are lifted together upwards in the direction of the holding clips 10moved through the transfer zone Z. The movement of the slide element 53is matched to the movement of the holding clips 10 such that theupwardly moved piece goods 70 come together with the clip openings ofthe holding clips 10 and by way of continued movement of the slideelement 53 are pushed into the holding clips 10 of the conveying device2.

As soon as the piece goods 70 meet the clip opening of the holding clips10 and come into contact with the holding clip 10, the conveying device2 via the holding clip 10 exerts a driving force onto the piece goods 70(FIG. 10). Since, however, the slide element 53 continues its movementupwards, in order to push the piece goods 70 completely into the holdingposition in the holding clips 10, the piece goods 70 move relative tothe slide element 53 in the movement direction B of the conveying device2 (FIGS. 11, 12 and 15).

With this procedure, the piece goods 70 slide in the movement directionB on the slide element 53.

The slide element 53 has two slider bars 65 that run at a distance toone another. The slider bars 65 are aligned in the movement direction Bof the conveying device 2 and form a guide surface 54, which is alsosimultaneously a sliding surface for the piece goods 70.

The slider bars 65 are arranged on both sides of the receiver 51, fromwhich the piece goods 70 are lifted for the purpose of transfer by theslide element 53. The slider bars 65 are lifted via pneumatic cylinders64 for the transfer of the piece goods 70 and are lowered again forassuming the initial position of the slider bars 65. The pneumaticcylinders 64 are accordingly extended and retracted. The extension andretraction of the pneumatic cylinders 64 is effected via a suitable camdrive 63. The cam drive 63 is controlled via the control device 62.

As soon as the piece goods 70 have been pushed by the slide element 53into the holding position in the holding clips 10, the slide element 53moves in a linear movement H downwards again back into its initialposition (FIG. 13). A new transfer cycle can be initiated on reachingthe initial position. For this, goods piece receivers 51 with piecegoods 70 are moved via the intermediate conveyor 50 into the transferzone Z and are brought into an idle or waiting position for thetransfer.

The transferred piece goods 70 are conveyed by the conveying device 2 inthe conveying direction B along the conveying path of the conveyinginstallation 1.

The filling device 61, the intermediate conveyor 50, the slide mechanism52 as well as the conveying installation 1 are preferably controlled andoperated in a cyclically synchronous manner, via a common control device62.

FIGS. 17 and 18 each show front views of a rail-led conveying deviceaccording to a further embodiment example. The conveying device 2corresponds essentially to the conveying device 2 according to FIGS. 1to 3, which is why a repetition of the description of the same featuresis not made at this location. In contrast, the description with regardto FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 17 and 18 differs from the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 to 3 only by way of the different design of therail body and therefore also by way of the different arrangement of therunner rollers 4 a, 4 b 4 c on the conveying vehicle 3.

The rail body 81 according to FIG. 17 is likewise designed as ahexagonal profile. The six profile surfaces, however, are not designedequally long. The profile cross section in the present embodimentexample in contrast is extended in length. Accordingly, the hexagonalprofile is merely designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner The threeprofile surfaces forming runner surfaces, however, are likewise eacharranged at an angle of 60° relative to one another. Accordingly, therotation planes R of the runner rollers here too are also arranged at anangle of 120° relative to one another.

The rail body 82 according to FIG. 18 is likewise designed as ahexagonal profile. Here too however, the six profile surfaces are notdesigned equally long. The profile cross section in the presentembodiment in contrast is extended in width. Accordingly, here too, thehexagonal profile is only designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner. Thethree profile surfaces forming the runner surfaces are, however,likewise arranged at an angle of 60° relative to one another.Accordingly, the rotation planes R of the runner rollers here too arearranged at an angle of 120° relative to one another.

FIGS. 19 to 22 show the transfer of piece goods 70 to the conveyinginstallation in front views, wherein a slide mechanism 72 according to afurther embodiment example is present as a single difference to theembodiment example according to FIGS. 11 to 16. Only the constructionand the manner of functioning of the slide mechanism 72 are thereforedescribed at this location. The description with regard to FIGS. 11 and16 is referred to concerning the common features.

The slide mechanism 72 has two pivot elements 73, on whose distal endsthe slide element 53 is attached. The slide element 53 is moved by wayof the pivot movement of the pivot elements 73 along an arched path in acombined movement with a first movement component upwards in thedirection of the conveying elements 10 and with a second movementcomponent laterally in the conveying direction B of the conveyingelements 10. The piece goods 70 that are moved by the slide element 53out of the goods piece receivers 51 to the conveying elements 10 for thepurpose of the transfer accordingly execute an analogous movement.

The additional lateral movement of the slide element 53 in the conveyingdirection B of the conveying element 10 during the lifting of the goodspiece 70 supports the transfer of the goods piece 70, which executes ananalogous lateral movement by way of the driving force of the conveyingelement 10 in the conveying direction B.

The rail body 83 according to FIG. 23 is designed as a triangularprofile. The triangular profile in a cross-sectional view forms anequilateral triangle. Accordingly, the three profile surfaces 22 thatsimultaneously form the three runner surfaces 27 for the runner rollers4 a, 4 b, 4 c are arranged at an angle of 60° to one another.

The conveying vehicle 3 according to FIG. 24 differs from the conveyingvehicle 3 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in that two third runner rollers 4 care arranged one after the other in the conveying direction B, in theconnection section 8 between the two vehicle limbs 6, 7. These tworunner rollers 4 c ensure that the conveying vehicle 3 cannot tilt inthe conveying direction B. The conveying vehicle 3 is representedwithout a conveying element,

In contrast, in each case only a first and second runner roller 4 a, 4 bare arranged on the first and the second vehicle limb 6, 7.

1. A rail-led conveying device, comprising a conveying vehicle with at least one first, second and third runner roller for rolling conveying along a rail guidance, wherein rotation planes of the at least one first, second and third runner roller are arranged at an angle of greater than 0° and smaller than 180° relative to one another.
 2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying vehicle comprises a first and second limb as well as a connection section connecting the first and second limbs to one another, and at least one first roller is arranged on the first limb, at least one second roller is arranged on the second limb and at least one third roller is arranged on the connection section, in a rotatably mounted manner.
 3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second limbs and the connection section enclose a rail receiving space that is open at one side and is for receiving a rail body, on which rail body the runner rollers can roll, and the at least one first, second and third runner roller is arranged on the conveying vehicle such that their rotation planes intersect in the rail receiving space.
 4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a conveying element for holding a goods piece is arranged on the connection section.
 5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying element is a holding clip.
 6. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a contact element for creating a contact to a driver for the purpose of driving the conveying vehicle by way of the driver is arranged on the conveying vehicle.
 7. A conveying installation comprising at least one rail-led conveying device according to claim 1, as well as a rail guidance with a rail body, wherein: the rail body forms at least one rail body longitudinal section with at least three runner surfaces that are arranged on the outer periphery of the rail body and are for the at least one first, second and third runner roller of the conveying device, and the surface normals of the at least three runner surfaces are arranged at an angle of greater than 0° and smaller than 180° to one another.
 8. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the rail body longitudinal section has a symmetrical cross section.
 9. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the rail body longitudinal section is a hexagonal profile with six profile surfaces, and the at least three runner surfaces are formed by profile surfaces.
 10. The conveying installation according to claim 9, wherein adjacent profile surfaces in each case are arranged at an angle of 120° to one another.
 11. The convevinq installation according to claim 7, wherein the at least three runner surfaces are formed by three profile surfaces that are arranged at angles to one another.
 12. The convevinq installation according to claim 7, wherein the rail body comprises at least two rail body longitudinal sections with a different profile cross section.
 13. The conveying installation according to claim 12, wherein the rail body comprises a further rail body longitudinal section, which is designed as a round profile.
 14. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the conveying vehicle laterally encompasses the rail body with the first and second limbs and the at least one first, second and third runner roller are led in a rolling manner on the runner surfaces of the rail body.
 15. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the conveying installation is a hanging conveyor, in which the piece goods at least in sections can be conveyed in a hanging manner.
 16. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the conveying installation is a gravity conveyor, in which the piece goods can be conveyed along at least one conveying path section in a manner driven by gravity.
 17. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the first and second limbs and the connection section of the conveying vehicle in the hanging conveying form a rail receiving space that is open to the top and is for receiving the rail body, and the connection section is arranged below the rail body.
 18. The conveying installation according to claim 7, wherein the rail body and the conveying device are designed such that a torque acting on the conveying device can be dissipated onto the rail body in a manner uniformly distributed over the at least one first, second and third runner roller. 